Subacute and chronic toxicity studies of fluorocarbon propellants in mice, rats and dogs

Abstract Six subacute and chronic inhalation toxicity studies were conducted in rats, mice and dogs treated with fluorocarbon propellants. The studies varied in length from 2 weeks to 23 months and the dose of propellant varied from 164 mg/kg/day to 2240 mg/kg/day. The only signs of toxicity observed were sedation, ataxia and mild depression which occurred in the 2 studies in which the propellant doses were the highest. These effects, observed during and immediately after exposure, disappeared rapidly and were attributed to mild anesthetic properties of the fluorocarbon propellants. Abnormal values were not found in the hematologic, blood chemistry or urinalysis values in any of the 6 toxicity studies. Gross and microscopic examination of tissues of the respiratory tract, including lung, did not reveal any evidence of propellant toxicity, irritation or carcinogenicity. In the 3- and 12-month toxicity studies, EKG changes were not observed in dogs which had received large daily doses of the propellants.